Case Study 2: Cloud Computing Due Week 8 And Worth 100 Point

Case Study 2: Cloud Computing Due Week 8 and worth 100 points Cloud computing is defined by Cearly and Phifer in their case study titled “Case Studies in Cloud Computing†as “a style of computing in which scalable and elastic IT-related capabilities are provided ‘ as a service’ to customers using Internet technologiesâ€. Cloud computing services had been provided by major vendors such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and others for business computing until recently when Apple Corporation announced iCloud for consumers. Therefore, cloud computing is now available for businesses as well as consumers. Read the case study titled, “ Ericssonâ€, located here , about Ericsson cloud computing.

Write a two to four (2-4) page paper in which you: Assess how Ericsson benefitted from Amazon Web Services (AWS) in terms of cost reduction, automated software updates, remote access, and on-demand availability. Evaluate the scalability, dependability, manageability, and adaptability of Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), Amazon Simple Storage Services (Amazon S3), and RightScale. Examine the security concerns for cloud-based services and make suggestions to cope with these concerns. Assess possible scalability, reliability, and cost issues associated with cloud computing, and make suggestions to overcome each of these issues. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment.

Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

Paper For Above instruction

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses leverage information technology by offering scalable, cost-effective, and flexible computing resources. Ericsson, a leading telecommunications company, has embraced cloud technologies to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery. This paper assesses how Ericsson benefitted from Amazon Web Services (AWS), evaluates the core cloud infrastructure components, examines security concerns, and discusses scalability, reliability, and cost issues related to cloud computing. Insights from multiple scholarly sources are integrated to provide a comprehensive analysis.

Ericsson’s Benefits from AWS

Ericsson has significantly benefited from integrating Amazon Web Services (AWS) into its cloud strategy. One primary advantage is cost reduction, achieved through utilization of AWS's pay-as-you-go pricing, which eliminates the need for substantial capital expenditures on hardware and infrastructure. According to Chen and Zhang (2019), leveraging AWS allows companies like Ericsson to transition from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operational expenditure (OpEx), thus enhancing financial flexibility. Additionally, AWS facilitates automated software updates, which ensures systems stay current with minimal manual intervention, reducing downtime and operational overhead (Mell & Grance, 2011). Remote access is another crucial benefit, enabling Ericsson’s workforce and partners to securely access cloud resources from anywhere, fostering collaboration and agility. On-demand availability through AWS’s scalable infrastructure ensures that Ericsson can meet fluctuating demand without overprovisioning, leading to improved resource efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Evaluation of Core Cloud Infrastructure Components

Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) provides scalable compute capacity, allowing Ericsson to deploy and manage virtual servers efficiently. EC2's ability to dynamically scale up or down based on workload demands makes it a dependable resource for telecommunications applications requiring high availability. Amazon S3 offers durable and scalable storage for vast amounts of data, which is essential for Ericsson’s data analytics and network management systems. Meanwhile, RightScale, as a cloud management platform, simplifies infrastructure orchestration, enhances manageability, and improves the adaptability of cloud resources across multiple cloud providers. These components collectively support Ericsson’s need for a flexible, resilient, and manageable cloud environment, ensuring seamless service delivery even during peak demand periods.

Security Concerns and Mitigation Strategies

Security remains a paramount concern in cloud-based services. Data breaches, unauthorized access, and compliance violations pose significant risks for companies like Ericsson. To address these concerns, robust security measures are imperative. Implementing encryption for data at rest and in transit ensures data confidentiality (Rittinghouse & Ransome, 2016). Role-based access controls (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) restrict unauthorized user access. Regular security audits and compliance checks help maintain regulatory standards and detect vulnerabilities proactively. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), as well as establishing comprehensive security policies, further fortifies cloud security. Educating employees about security best practices also plays a crucial role in mitigating human-related risks.

Scalability, Reliability, and Cost Challenges

Despite its advantages, cloud computing introduces specific challenges. Scalability issues may arise if demand unexpectedly exceeds resource allocations, leading to service disruptions. To mitigate this, implementing auto-scaling groups and load balancers ensures that resources expand or contract in real-time based on workload fluctuations. Reliability concerns, such as downtime caused by hardware failure or network interruptions, can be addressed through multi-region deployments and data replication strategies, enhancing fault tolerance. Cost management remains critical; unanticipated usage spikes can escalate expenses. Utilizing cost monitoring tools, setting budget alerts, and rightsizing cloud resources are vital tactics to control costs. Engaging in capacity planning and resource optimization further helps to balance performance with expenditure.

Conclusions and Recommendations

In conclusion, Ericsson’s benefits from AWS are substantial, primarily through cost savings, enhanced operational efficiency, and improved service delivery. However, practical challenges regarding security, scalability, reliability, and costs necessitate strategic planning. To maximize cloud computing advantages, Ericsson should continue investing in advanced security frameworks, adopt proactive scaling strategies, and maintain vigilant cost management practices. Future advancements in cloud technology, such as the integration of AI-driven automation and edge computing, can further enhance scalability and dependability. By addressing these issues systematically, Ericsson can sustain its competitive edge and fully leverage the transformative potential of cloud computing.

References

  • Chen, L., & Zhang, Y. (2019). Financial implications of cloud computing adoption in large enterprises. Journal of Cloud Computing, 8(1), 45-59.
  • Mell, P., & Grance, T. (2011). The NIST definition of cloud computing. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
  • Rittinghouse, J. W., & Ransome, J. F. (2016). Cloud security and privacy: An enterprise perspective on risks and compliance. CRC press.
  • Marinescu, D. C. (2017). Cloud computing: Theory and practice. Morgan Kaufmann.
  • Zhang, Q., Cheng, L., & Boutaba, R. (2010). Cloud computing: State-of-the-art and research challenges. Journal of Internet Services and Applications, 1(1), 7-18.
  • Armbrust, M., et al. (2010). A view of cloud computing. Communications of the ACM, 53(4), 50-58.
  • Sharma, A., et al. (2020). Security challenges in cloud computing: A survey. IEEE Access, 8, 197794-197815.
  • Buyya, R., et al. (2011). Cloud computing and emerging IT platforms: Vision, hype, and reality for delivering computing as the 5th utility. Future Generation Computer Systems, 25(6), 599-616.
  • Hashem, I. A. T., et al. (2015). The rise of “big data” on cloud computing: Review and open research issues. Information Systems, 47, 98-115.
  • Armbrust, M., et al. (2010). A view of cloud computing. Communications of the ACM, 53(4), 50-58.

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